GAF demonstrates combat readiness amid rising terrorist threats in West Africa

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has demonstrated its combat readiness and ability to respond to emerging security threats in the West African sub-region through a major land combat and firepower exercise at the Battle Training Camp at Bundase.

The exercise, which brought together personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, showcased the military’s ability to coordinate land, sea and air operations in responding to external aggression and other security threats.

The 2026 edition of the Land Combat Firepower Demonstration was conducted against the backdrop of growing concerns over terrorist activities along Ghana’s northern borders and the expansion of transnational criminal networks in the sub-region.

Speaking at the event, the Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, said the exercise was designed to demonstrate the Ghana Army’s operational capabilities and its ability to integrate various combat assets in joint military operations.

He said the demonstration was not merely a routine training exercise, but a practical assessment of the Armed Forces’ combat readiness, interoperability, situational awareness and command-and-control systems.

According to him, the exercise simulated how a battle group operating under a Joint Task Force could conduct defensive and offensive operations to locate, fix and strike a notional enemy, with support from air and maritime components.

Brigadier General Awaribey explained that the exercise was intended to expose students of the Senior Division of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College to the realities of modern warfare, particularly the complexity of battlefield operations and the coordination required among different military units.

He said the exercise also sought to demonstrate the integration and deployment of fire support assets by a battle group operating within a Joint Task Force.

The 5th Infantry Battalion served as the lead and host unit, with support from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Battalions, 16th Artillery Brigade, 15th Armoured Brigade, 14th Engineer Brigade, 17th Army Signal Brigade and the Army Special Operations Brigade.

The Ghana Navy and Air Force also participated, providing support to demonstrate the Armed Forces’ ability to coordinate operations across the land, sea and air domains.

Brigadier General Awaribey said such integration was essential to modern warfare, where success depended on coordination, speed, precision and shared situational awareness.

He added that the Ghana Army would continue to refine its tactics and incorporate lessons from regional operations to remain adaptive and prepared to defend the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Guest of Honour, Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Acting Vice-Chairperson of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee and Member of Parliament for Wa West constituency of the Upper West Region, praised Ghanaian soldiers for their professionalism and contributions to international peacekeeping operations.

Drawing on his experience working with soldiers in Bosnia, Sudan, Darfur and Liberia under United Nations peacekeeping missions, he said Ghanaian military personnel had consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity and reliability.

He said the exercise was helping to build the capabilities of the Armed Forces and demonstrate their capacity to protect Ghana, defend its territorial integrity and maintain peace.

Mr Toobu also urged military personnel to uphold democratic principles, respect civil authority and recognise the protection of civilians as a fundamental responsibility.He called on Ghanaians to respect members of the Armed Forces and desist from attacking military personnel.”Let no Ghanaian, young or old, rich or poor, see a soldier in uniform and attack him or her for any reason,” he said.

He maintained that confrontations between civilians and military personnel were detrimental to the country’s democratic values and called for greater respect for the men and women in uniform.

Mr Toobu, who expressed satisfaction with the demonstration, recommended that future editions should include night-time combat exercises to further showcase the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.

He also suggested that the military consider organising a smaller version of the demonstration in one of the country’s forests to illustrate its capacity to conduct operations in difficult terrain.

He said the demonstration had exposed him to military operational concepts, including interdicting and neutralising an enemy and destroying enemy logistical bases.

Mr Toobu further commended the military for completing the exercise without casualties, recalling that previous editions had recorded casualties.

The Land Combat Firepower Demonstration is one of the key operational training activities on the Ghana Armed Forces’ annual calendar.

It is primarily organised for students of the Senior Division of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the practical application of tactical operations and combat firepower in a joint operational environment.

The event also provides an opportunity for cross-service learning, professional exchange and the demonstration of military capabilities. Defence attachés from the diplomatic community were among those who witnessed the exercise.

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